September 10, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Ball State Cardinals head coach Pete Lembo looks on against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-US PRESSWIRE

Written by

Ben Breiner
bbreiner@muncie.gannett.com

At 6 o'clock in the morning during the summer, the Ball State football locker room plays host to an unusual scene. Alongside the usual football trappings, suits and uniforms hang in players' lockers.

And at 8 a.m., players come back from the early workout, rush through showers and pull on whatever they need before heading out to a world far from the painted lines of a field.

"You've got to hang your suit up and get ready for the workout," said Cardinals wide receiver Connor Ryan, who is spending the summer as an intern at Merrill Lynch in Carmel. "When you're done, you shower up, put your suit on, walk ...